Review: Box Canyon Park fun, accessible

June 18, 2012

Updated Aug. 21, 2013 1:17 p.m.

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After Box Canyon Park in Yorba Linda was destroyed by the wildfires in 2008, it was later recreated as a pirate ship vs. a castle. The park is accessibe to kid-sized wheelchairs. COURTESY OF MICHELE WHITEAKER

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The ship is meant for ages 2-5, and the castle is meant for 6-12 year olds – but there are ramps on both that make it easily accessible for everyone. COURTESY OF MICHELE WHITEAKER

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The recently rebuilt park sparks the immagination for play possiblities. COURTESY OF MICHELE WHITEAKER

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The playground is high on the side of a hill in Yorba Linda, and is not somewhere you would want to be in the afternoon on a hot summer day. COURTESY OF MICHELE WHITEAKER

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A shade gazebo make Box Canyon Park a good choice for birthday parties. COURTESY OF MICHELE WHITEAKER

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The playground has four bench swings and two baby swings, shown above. COURTESY OF MICHELE WHITEAKER

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Box Canyon does not have a parking lot. If there are a lot of visitors at the park, you might end up parking near the bottom of a fairly steep street. COURTESY OF MICHELE WHITEAKER

After Box Canyon Park in Yorba Linda was destroyed by the wildfires in 2008, it was later recreated as a pirate ship vs. a castle. The park is accessibe to kid-sized wheelchairs.COURTESY OF MICHELE WHITEAKER

Graphics

Box Canyon Park in Yorba Linda was destroyed in the wildfires of 2008. It was recreated as a pirate ship with a ship's mast vs. a castle with flags atop towers.

It has to be one of the most accessible playgrounds in Orange County. Not only are there ramps up to the play structures, but also a kid-sized wheelchair can be navigated around the structures with big loops to make around the walkways (no backing up). There are even bridges to cross.

The ship is meant for ages 2-5, and the castle is meant for 6-12 year olds – but there are ramps on both that make it easily accessible for everyone. When I visited, there were many younger kids that were just getting the hang of walking enjoying the larger castle structure with help from their moms.

Many interactive panels are built into the play structures, including music chimes (one of my personal favorites), drums, and gears to spin. The playground has four bench swings and two baby swings.

A bathroom on site and a shade gazebo make it a good choice for birthday parties. Unfortunately, there isn't a lot of shade, so get there early in the summertime.

There is plenty of wildlife to see including bunnies and lizards, and hawks soaring high above.

My imagination was sparked by all the play possibilities here. My toddler thought it was amazing, too, and was squealing and giggling as he ran around for an hour trying to experience everything. He was asking to go back after he woke up from his nap.

On the downside, there is no shade over the play structures. The playground is high on the side of a hill in Yorba Linda, and is not somewhere I'd want to be in the afternoon on a hot summer day.

There is no parking lot. If there are a lot of visitors at the park, you might end up parking near the bottom of a fairly steep street.

The park has postings on rattlesnakes.

CHECKLIST

Parking on the street.

Recycled rubber play surface.

Nice restroom with fancy hand dryers.

Full basketball court (no lighting).

Picnic tables scattered throughout – one main covered picnic shelter.

Drinking fountain by the picnic shelter.

Nice views.

Location: Off the 91 freeway in Yorba Linda. Exit at Weir Canyon Road/Yorba Linda Boulevard. Turn right onto La Palma from the freeway. Turn left onto Via Lomas de Yorba W (it turns into Via Lomas de Yorba E). The park is on the left after crossing Foxtail Drive.

Orange County mom, writer and blogger Michele Whiteaker created the site from her passion for 'play' and her desire to get families outdoors.

Whiteaker records her family play trips by taking loads of photos and reviewing the highlights and hazards of playgrounds. She's reviewed almost 250 of Orange County's 900 parks in the four years since she started her site. She covers everything from neighborhood parks to state beaches.

"I'm like a volunteer marketing department for parks and outdoor opportunities in Orange County," Whiteaker said. "I try to spotlight nonprofits and cover lesser-known places that don't get airtime in traditional media."

Whiteaker said she has a community of dedicated readers who ask her about everything from best birthday party locations to sand-free parks for their sensory-challenged children.

In a post entitled More Than 1,000 Play Activities for Toddlers and Kids from Play Experts, Whiteaker received this comment: "Thank you so much for sharing these sources, and thank you for sharing the great parks around OC. I have a very energetic almost 3-year-old, so any activity that keeps her busy and entertained is an A+ in my book."

"When I started this thing, my kids were 6 and 2 (they are now 10 and 6). I had hoped to inspire a few moms to play outside with their kids," Whiteaker said. "I never imagined how much my readers would inspire me with their tales of discovery, adventure, and making real connections with their kids."

The Orange County Register, ocregister.com and ocmoms.com will be sharing some of Whiteaker's blog posts highlighting playgrounds and play in Orange County.

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